The rapidly progression of the disease in HIV-HCV co-infected patients justify the treatment.

Combination of Peg interferon and Ribavirin is the best treatment because it improve the compliance of treatment.

In APRICOT study genotypes 2 and 3 patients received 48 weeks and the rates of end of treatment response was 64% and the sustained virological response (24 weeks after the end of treatment) 62%.

In mono-infected patients trials showed there are not differences in the sustained virological response between 24 and 48 weeks of treatment, however exit the doubt concerning the different kinetic viral in HIV-HCV co-infected patients and this could be related with a lost of profit with a shorter duration of treatment, only 24 weeks.

In this study we woud like to evaluate if 24 weeks of treatment in HIV-HCV co-infected patients genotype 2 or 3 will have the same rate of clearance of virus at the end of follow-up period.

Negative urine or blood pregnancy test (for women of childbearing potential) documented within the 24-hour period prior to the first dose of study drug. Additionally, all fertile males and females must be using two forms of effective contraception during treatment and during the 6 months after treatment end. This may include, but is not limited to, using birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, diaphragms, or implants, being surgically sterilized, or being in a post-menopausal state.

Willingness to give written informed consent and willingness to participate to and comply with the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Women with ongoing pregnancy or breast feeding

IFN or ribavirin therapy at any previous time

Any investigational drug <6 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug

History or other evidence of a medical condition associated with chronic liver disease other than HCV

Hepatocarcinoma observed

History or other evidence of bleeding from esophageal varices or other conditions consistent with decompensated liver disease

Hgb <12 g/dL in women or 13 g/dL in men or any patient for whom anemia would be medically problematic

Hemoglobinopathy (e.g. thalassemia) or any other cause of or tendency for hemolysis

Platelet count <90000 cells/mm3

Serum creatinine level >1.5 times the upper limit of normal at screening

History of severe psychiatric disease, especially depression. Severe psychiatric disease is defined as treatment with an antidepressant medication or a major tranquilizer at therapeutic doses for major depression or psychosis, respectively, for at least 3 months at any previous time or any history of the following: a suicidal attempt, hospitalization for psychiatric disease, or a period of disability due to a psychiatric disease

History or other evidence of chronic pulmonary disease associated with functional limitation

History of significant cardiac disease that could be worsened by acute anemia

History of thyroid disease poorly controlled on prescribed medications. Patients with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations with elevation of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and any clinical manifestations of thyroid disease are excluded

Evidence of severe retinopathy

History of major organ transplantation with an existing functional graft

History or other evidence of severe illness, malignancy or any other conditions which would make the patient, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study

History of any systemic anti-neoplastic or immunomodulatory treatment (including supraphysiologic doses of steroids and radiation) <6 months prior to the first dose of study drug or the expectation that such treatment will be needed at any time during the study

Drug use within 6 months of 1st dose and excessive alcohol consumption

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00611819